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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 10
| Hi all!
First time poster here.
I found this forum searching keywords (ovation forum), looks like Google works. ;)
So here's my issue,
I have an Ovation Legend that I've had for close to 10 years now. It used to be my go-to guitar but about 4-5 years ago, something happened to it that I cannot put my finger on....
If I recall correctly, I dropped my keys on the face of the guitar, right behind the bridge. Since then, the strings just FEEL wrong.. I'll do my best to describe it, but it feels the same way a guitar feels with REALLY OLD strings, even with brand new strings! The sound just feels/sounds dull and there is this subtle buzz thing going on.
I've taken it to a guitar guy, I got everything adjusted and even the frets dressed, but the problem is still there, it just doesn't feel like it used to.
Does anyone know what might be happening? I haven't played the guitar in years since this happened and I've sort of just left it alone but I'd really like to either get it fixed so I can play it again or sell it. I'd rather fix and keep it.
A side note, this problem happened around the same time I traveled to Korea and back, not sure if the altitude could also have been a variable to this.
I've also gone to town with different gauge strings on this guitar, like medium steel strings with a lower tuning.
Thanks all! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Have the braces checked. |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 10
| Can you give an estimate of how much it would run to repair a loose/messed up brace? I'm sure it depends on the severity, but I'm just curious.. Also, is this type of repair doable DIY? |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I don't give estimates. |
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March 2010
Posts: 10
| You also aren't much of a talker are you? ;) |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | send it to the factory for a checkup.
If the guitar is worth keeping it is worth the shipping costs to have the experts give it a look over and give you an estimate to make it factory new. |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 10
| Thanks Stephen, I'll look into that this week. |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 10
| Okay could not get a good look at the brace.. anyone know how I could get the limited warranty service on this guitar? I don't want to take it to a non-ovation certified guitar repair.. Thanks! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Contact Ovation Customer Service, arrange to have an RMA# generated, & ship it to them for an evaluation.
If you don't have documentation as being the OriginalOwner, it won't be covered by any kinda' Warranty, but it's the best place t'have any work done. |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 10
| I'm not sure if I have that original documentation... crap. :/ |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Contact them.
They MIGHT be able to track it through the s/n.
Did you BUY it NEW (from a DEALER)?
Did you SEND in th'WarrantyCard?? |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Even if you aren't the original owner, it would be worthwhile to have the factory do the repair work on the guitar. And I doubt if it will cost all that much.... |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 10
| I'm having a hard time remembering where I bought it. I think I bought it from Elderly Guitar so I reached out to them via email to check if I'm in their system.
I'll try contacting Ovation today. Do you know which email I should reach out to? |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | WHERE are all of th'friggin' appointed WelcomeWagon "HallMonitors" that're supposed t'be handling this stuff??
(yeh, THAT's working-out well . . .) |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Most of us have been in Flahiduh. Looks like you're doing ok. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I guess Administrative Inadequacy abounds in ALL realms . . . |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I understand there's a pill for that now. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Ok, I'll help with the heavy lifting.
Send it to the factory. Contact info is here . |
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March 2010
Posts: 10
| Thanks guys, I'll report my progress. :) |
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July 2004
Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | DeyBwah,
Welcome to the OFC! You are now OK to post on the other boards.
(There ya go, Cliff.) |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 10
| Thanks Mitzdawg,
And thanks for your concise help Cliff. ;) |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | g'Luck. |
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April 2010
Posts: 4
Location: Monterey CA | Hi. go to a store and buy a mirror like the dentist use, most local food stores have them for $2.00....and check under the guitar top. It may not be loose bracing but a crack in the wood which you can not see from on top the guitar. I really don't think the bracing is damaged.
If you can't find any cracks then check out you Ovation eq and volume control if you have one.
Try pressing down on it while playing or have a friend do that, they do come loose and vibrate and so can string trees on your guitar tuners. Check all around the outside edge of your volume eq box...If it's loose tighen it.
Next...I hate to say this but... nothing may have even happened to your guitar when you dropped the keys on it.
It may have been another problem which just accidently pop up about the same time you dropped your keys.
When guitars age the neck needs adjusting.
I bought a new 1777 LX legend 5 years ago and once ever 3 months for the first 4 years I slightly adjusted the neck untill the guitar became accustomed to the pressures of the strings.
I can tell when a guitar needs adjusting even if it's a paper thin adjustment.
This year being the 4th to 5th year I have not had to adjust it at all...
Anyways after some time the guitar will settle in right with the string pressure(remember each brand of strings have different pressures ..because all strings are not equal )
Next remember the bridge also wears a little the first year, so yes the neck may need adjusting.
Also changing strings and trying out different strings can cause trouble. Find one brand thats great and stick to it, even when companies list the same size strings, they really never are the same size because each brand stretches out differently.
I found that Martin SP 80-20 Bronz work best on most Ovations, and better than the Adamas Strings they sell.
Anyways hope I gave you a few hints...Thanks GW |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 10
| Thanks everyone for the suggestions... after over 6 months and sending my Ovation to factory 3 times, it's fixed. They ended up replacing the entire body, in other words, just keeping my neck/headstock, and replacing everything else.
Sounds perfect, plays like my old guitar(thanks to my neck), and all is well.
Cheers!
Dey |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Wow. Long story. Glad it worked out. Why 3 trips to the factory? |
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Ovation Legend doesn't feel/sound right...
